Wakesurf Board Guide & Size Chart
Types of Boards
Surf Style Wakesurf Boards
Surf style wakesurf board shapes are often very similar to traditional surf shortboards only smaller in size. These boards will come in a wide variety of materials, lengths, and configurations and are usually the largest in size and total volume. Surf style boards often have multiple fin configuration options which help riders adjust their on-the-water feel. Surf style wakesurf boards are designed to deliver the ride and performance of what you’d experience on a traditional surfboard in the ocean.
Skim Style Wakesurf Boards
Smaller in size, skim style wakesurf boards are made to be lite and free in the water. With smaller fins, these boards like to slide around on the water creating a slippery feel to how they ride. Contrary to surf style boards that track up and down the face of the wave, skim style boards are easy to spin and are typically more difficult to control in the water.
Hybrid Style Wakesurf Boards
Hybrid style wakesurf boards are a mix between surf style and skim style. There are a lot of different hybrid style shapes and sizes. Some lean more toward the surf style side design and others more toward the skim style side. A common feature that can be found is the interchanging of different sizes and shapes of the fins. Overall, the purpose of the hybrid style board is to combine the power of a surf style board with the playfulness of a skim style board.
How Do I Choose?
Wakesurf boards most often are measured in inches. There are no strict recommendations, but rider weight and wake size do determine how the board will perform for you. Other considerations can include the size and shape of the board, the rocker, and the nose & tail shape.
Larger boards have more surface area and float. This means they work well for heavier riders. If you’re riding behind a boat that throws a smaller wave a bigger board will compensate for the smaller wake. These boards typically move more slowly through the water and are easier to control. Great boards for beginners to learn and progress on!
Smaller boards are lighter and easier to move around on. These boards also require a bit bigger wave to support the reduced board size. They are typically faster in the water and often the choice for those who like to try advanced tricks. This makes them an excellent choice for more advanced riders.
Size Chart
Rider Weight | Surf Style | Skim Style | Hybrid Style |
Up to 110 lbs. | Up to 48” | Up to 48” | Up to 4′ |
100 – 170 lbs. | 48” – 56″ | 48” – 52″ | 3′ 9″ – 4′ 8″ |
150 – 200 lbs. | 56″ – 60” | 52″ – 58″ | 4′ 8″ – 5′ 3″ |
190 – 250+ lbs. | 60”+ | 58″+ | 5’+ |
Rocker
By setting a wakesurf board on a flat surface and looking at it’s side, you can see the tip and tail rise off the surface…this is called rocker. The more rocker your board has the slower your board will be as it will tend to push through the water but with that, it will react more dramatically with the wave. The less rocker your board has the faster it will be and easier to maneuver as the board will not lock into or grab the water.
Rails
Wakesurf board rails are the edge of your wakesurf board. The design and shape of the rails affect the way the board will move and turn through the water. Thinner rails have more grab and will bite into the water. These boards offer precise turning and are quicker and less forgiving. Thicker rails are slower and more forgiving. They allow more water to flow over and around the rails giving these boards great tracking and control capability.
Rails usually can be separated into three categories, “hard”, “soft” or “blended.” Hard rails indicate that the board has a sharp edge. This gives the board more responsiveness and speed, a great choice for more advanced riders. Softer rails have a little more rounded edge. This design makes the board more consistent and stable, a great choice for beginners. Blended rails give you the best of both worlds and typically are softer towards the nose and harder towards the tail.